In the 16th century, Turkish women could divorce their husbands if the man failed to keep his family’s pot filled with coffee.
SMOOTHING
Verb
smoothing
present participle of smooth
Noun
smoothing (plural smoothings)
The act by which something is made smooth.
(phonetics, phonology) Monophthongization.
Source: Wiktionary
Smooth"ing, a. & n.
Definition: fr. Smooth, v. Smoothing iron, an iron instrument with a polished face, for smoothing clothes; a sadiron; a flatiron.
– Smoothing plane, a short, finely set plane, for smoothing and finishing work.
SMOOTH
Smooth, a. [Compar. Smoother; superl. Smoothest.] Etym: [OE. smothe, smethe, AS. smeedhe, smoeedte, where e, oe, come from an older o; cf. LG. smöde, smöe, smödig; of uncertain origin.]
1. Having an even surface, or a surface so even that no roughness or points can be perceived by the touch; not rough; as, smooth glass; smooth porcelain. Chaucer. The outlines must be smooth, imperceptible to the touch, and even, without eminence or cavities. Dryden.
2. Evenly spread or arranged; sleek; as, smooth hair.
3. Gently flowing; moving equably; not ruffled or obstructed; as, a smooth stream.
4. Flowing or uttered without check, obstruction, or hesitation; not harsh; voluble; even; fluent. The only smooth poet of those times. Milton. Waller was smooth; but Dryden taught to join The varying verse, the full-resounding line. Pope. When sage Minerva rose, From her sweet lips smooth elocution flows. Gay.
5. Bland; mild; smoothing; fattering. This smooth discourse and mild behavior oft Conceal a traitor. Addison.
6. (Mech. & Physics)
Definition: Causing no resistance to a body sliding along its surface; frictionless.
Note: Smooth is often used in the formation of selfexplaining compounds; as, smooth-bodied, smooth-browed, smooth-combed, smooth- faced, smooth-finished, smooth-gliding, smooth-grained, smooth- leaved, smooth-sliding, smooth-speaking, smooth-woven, and the like.
Syn.
– Even; plain; level; flat; polished; glossy; sleek; soft; bland; mild; soothing; voluble; flattering; adulatory; deceptive.
Smooth, adv.
Definition: Smoothly. Chaucer. Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep. Shak.
Smooth, n.
1. The act of making smooth; a stroke which smooths. Thackeray.
2. That which is smooth; the smooth part of anything. "The smooth of his neck." Gen. xxvii. 16.
Smooth, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Smoothed (smoothd); p. pr. & vb. n. Smoothing.] Etym: [OE. smothen, smethen, AS. smeedhian; cf. LG. smöden. See Smooth, a.]
Definition: To make smooth; to make even on the surface by any means; as, to smooth a board with a plane; to smooth cloth with an iron. Specifically: -- (a) To free from obstruction; to make easy. Thou, Abelard! the last sad office pay, And smooth my passage to the realms of day. Pope.
(b) To free from harshness; to make flowing. In their motions harmony divine So smooths her charming tones that God's own ear Listens delighted. Milton.
(c) To palliate; to gloze; as, to smooth over a fault. (d) To give a smooth or calm appearance to. Each perturbation smoothed with outward calm. Milton.
(e) To ease; to regulate. Dryden.
Smooth, v. i.
Definition: To flatter; to use blandishment. Because I can not flatter and speak fair, Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive and cog. Shak.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
19 April 2025
CATCH
(verb) grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of; “did you catch that allusion?”; “We caught something of his theory in the lecture”; “don’t catch your meaning”; “did you get it?”; “She didn’t get the joke”; “I just don’t get him”
Coffee Trivia
